[scp r2: wrongtiming]

[purrtagonist]

stuff and things

Comments

[wrongtiming]

That’s what I’m hoping, too.

[But...]

If nobody goes along with it, what’s to stop them from doing it themselves? The people working here, I mean.

[purrtagonist]

We are.

[that was a quick response, and the way he firmly meets Hunter's gaze makes it clear he isn't joking]

If the resort staff tries to hurt anyone here, then I'll do my damnedest to stop them.

[wrongtiming]

Okay, but... How?

[It’s an honest question, delivered with a new note of concern in his voice.]

[purrtagonist]

[it's a legitimate question, and Akira. . . well. he had been hesitant to share this with perfect strangers. even now, there's hesitation in the way he studies Hunter, as though gauging his trustworthiness]

[we're in this together, he reminds himself. if I don't trust them at least a little bit, we won't be able to escape]

I have something called a Persona.

[he begins slowly]

It's an ability I had back home, that I can somehow use here, too. It allows me to hold my own in a fight, even against supernatural creatures.

[wrongtiming]

[There’s a sizable pause before, quiet and almost reverential:]

Oh my god. You have superpowers.

[purrtagonist]

Oh my god. I have superpowers.

[Akira repeats in an incredible deadpan]

If you have any questions, go ahead and ask.

[wrongtiming]

[With the immediate influx of questions that come to mind, the harder part for him is deciding what to ask first. It's clear from his expression that he's incredibly interested, practically leaning forwards in excitement.]

You said it's an ability, but... What is it? Like, what can you do?

[purrtagonist]

[taps his temple]

It's called the power of Persona. It lets me summon a physical manifestation of my soul to fight for me. I can do everything-- from elemental spells, to physical attacks, to healing, to status effects, to buffs and debuffs.

[wrongtiming]

Whaaaaaaat.

[That drawn out word, clearly impressed, comes before anything else. After that:]

How long have you been able to do that? Also, how did you get to be able to do it? I'm assuming this isn't a falling into a vat of chemicals kind of situation. But, holy shit, that's so cool!

[purrtagonist]

[waves a hand]

One question at a time.

[his mouth twitches, amused by Hunter's enthusiasm]

But I've been able to do it for about eight months. The how is a little more complicated.

[wrongtiming]

[A pause, almost sheepish if he weren't still so clearly interested.]

...How was going to be the next question.

[purrtagonist]

. . . there's a world that runs parallel to the real one back home. It's called the cognitive world, or the Metaverse.

In that world, my will of rebellion manifests in the form of a mask. Personas are the masks you wear to face society, after all.

If I rip off that mask, I can summon my Persona.

[wrongtiming]

[In the same reverential tone as before:]

Dude. You are so cool.

[purrtagonist]

Ah-- thanks?

[instinctively, Akira lifts a hand to tug at his bangs]

I didn't tell you to come off as "cool." It's just a resource we can use, if any of us happen to get ourselves into trouble.

[wrongtiming]

No, I know. But... Still.

[He gives a small shrug before he moves on.]

But... You don't think they're planning for that? I mean, I don't know what they had written about you in the tablet, but it kind of seems to me like they know more about us than they should.

[purrtagonist]

They might be planning for it, but that won't stop me from trying.

I'll just have to figure out a way around whatever contingency plans they may have in place.

[wrongtiming]

[There’s a pause, but...]

Maybe... Start with what you assume they’d do if you tried something, and go from there? One step ahead, you know?

[His voice remains casual, but it’s specific enough that it might be evident he’s speaking from experience.]

[purrtagonist]

[eyes Hunter curiously when he's given that advice, but hey. it's good advice. he sits up a little straighter, expression turning a bit fierce]

If I were them, I would've clipped my wings entirely.

[which they clearly didn't do, so. mistake number one]

[wrongtiming]

So... They either couldn’t, or thought it didn’t matter.

[A shrug.]

Hopefully it’s the first one.

[purrtagonist]

[wait until he sees how his powers have been nerfed]

[a sharp smile]

Hopefully. But even if it's the second, then I'll figure something else out.

[wrongtiming]

What would you do about their whole... impenetrable wall thing?

[Color him curious.]

[purrtagonist]

The "edge of the map" so to speak?

[where everyone gets teleported back to the resort if they venture out too far?]

[wrongtiming]

...I actually meant the wall you ran face first into, but that too?

[purrtagonist]

. . .

[oh]

First I'm not going to run into any more walls.

[wrongtiming]

A lofty goal.

[Considering they can just pop out of nowhere. Anyways—]

If you need any help with anything you might be planning... I mean, I don't exactly have cool superpowers, but - you know.